SDG Awards 2024

Finalist Profile

Welcome to the SDG Awards, a distinguished recognition program honoring the remarkable contributions of individuals, organizations, and initiatives in championing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Finalist Profile

HyaPak

About Company

SDG Awards 2024

Category - SDG 13 - Climate action

Eco-Friendly Packaging: Offer sustainable packaging options that reduce the environmental impact, focusing on recyclable and biodegradable materials to minimize waste.

➜ Eco-Friendly Packaging: Offer sustainable packaging options that reduce the environmental impact, focusing on recyclable and biodegradable materials to minimize waste.

➜ Reducing Carbon Footprint: Products are designed to lower carbon emissions throughout the supply chain by using lightweight and efficient packaging.

➜ Innovation in Sustainability: Hyapak is committed to continuous innovation in creating packaging solutions that align with global climate action goals, promoting a circular economy.

1. What is the local impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

Our impact in SDG 13 (Climate Action) can be broken down into: a). Environmental Impact - Eliminated over 20 Hectares of water hyacinth from Lake Naivasha, and a similar amount diverted from landfills. - Offset emissions that would have been produced if alternative products were oil-based plastic. Each of our biodegradable bags offsets about 1.6kg of emissions. - Planted over 16,000 tree seedlings. b). Socio-economic impact - Created 45+ green jobs for the affected local community that has been affected by the water hyacinth weeds. - Transformed the blue economy for the activities hampered by water hyacinth weed, such as fishing.

2. What is the global impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

- Partnering with organizations in India, El-Salvador and Tanzania to help address challenges of water hyacinth and plastic waste pollution in those countries by franchising our methodologies. - We are working with some German-based companies to help them meet their sustainability goals through our biodegradable packaging. - We are partnering with a US based organization for sustainable agricultural use and packaging.

3. What is the scalability of your innovation and how do you plan to achieve it? (No Word Limit)

While plastic waste pollution is a global phenomenal, water hyacinth is an invasive species affecting fresh water bodies in more than 70 countries around the world. It affects fishing, navigation, irrigation, water treatment and so much more, that UNEP ranks it as the ‘world’s most problematic aquatic weed’. As the world phases out of oil, oil-based products, such as conventional plastics, are going to get expensive. Conventional plastics products are also responsible for land and marine pollution. Our innovation uses water hyacinth as a main raw material. Since this weed is renewable in nature due to its invasive nature, and globally available, price stability is expected. In our roadmap, we plan to establish in every country affected by the invasive species, and also export products to other countries to combat the plastic waste pollution crisis. At the moment, we favour a franchising model. This way, we not only address the harmful effects of plastic waste pollution and water hyacinth, but also reduce the carbon footprint for our end-users.

4. What is your organization’s unique strategy for using technology to achieve your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

At HyaPak, some of our technological strategies for SDG 13 involve using material science and chemical engineering, extraction of cellulose and bioconversion in a patented manufacturing process. Using this combination of processes, we seek to address the triple-threat of Climate Change, Biodiversity loss and pollution. Our innovative process converts the invasive weed into packaging products that look, feel, and perform like conventional plastics but biodegrade within 6 months, leaving no harmful microplastics behind. This reduces the marine and land pollution caused by single-use plastics.

5. What challenges did you encounter while working for your selected SDG, and how did you address them? (150 Words Limit)

Competition from traditional plastic manufacturers: The market for single-use plastic products is highly competitive, and established manufacturers often have lower production costs and stronger market positions. To compete effectively, we emphasized the unique selling points of our biodegradable products, such as their environmental benefits and potential for creating local jobs. We also focused on building strong relationships with environmentally conscious consumers and businesses.

6. How did you engage local communities and stakeholders in your work, and what was their feedback? (150 Words Limit)

As an impact-based startup, local communities have been at the heart of HyaPak. We create green jobs for the fishermen and the local communities that have been affected by these invasive species. We have them to harvest and dry the water hyacinth before we can do extraction into We engage with local communities to harvest the water hyacinth weed and be part of the innovative journey and process of the conversion. Other key stakeholders in our work include the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI), all whom have great feedback to share from the tests they conduct.

7. Which organizational skills and resources did you use to deliver goods/services without harming the environment or society? (150 Words Limit)

Harvesting the weed is done manually. As an invasive weed, water hyacinth blocks the oxygen from penetrating into the water and thereby kills the fish. Its extraction presents an opportunity for reversing this. The biggest delivery hack we came up with was on-site drying of the material. This reduces the fuel consumption in delivery.

8. In your view what roles do businesses, governments, and civil society should play in achieving the SDGs, and how can they collaborate effectively? (150 Words Limit)

Businesses drive innovation, create jobs, invest in sustainable practices and integrate SDGs into their core strategies. Governments establish policies, regulations and incentives that align national agendas with the SDGs. Civil society advocates for inclusivity, transparency, and grassroots mobilization.

9. What advice do you have for individuals or organizations aiming to create positive change and support the SDGs? (150 Words Limit)

Individuals and organizations aiming to support the SDGs should start by identifying the goals most relevant to their values and expertise. Set clear, measurable objectives that align with these goals, and integrate sustainable practices into daily operations. For individuals, this could mean adopting more eco-friendly lifestyles, advocating for policy changes, or supporting responsible businesses. Organizations should prioritize transparency, invest in sustainable technologies, and collaborate with stakeholders across sectors.

10. How would winning this SDG Award help you enhance your impact and expand your project? (150 Words Limit)

First, the award would provide global recognition and credibility, attracting attention from potential investors, partners, and customers. This increased visibility would enable us to secure necessary funding and resources to scale our operations, increase production capacity, and expand our reach to new markets. Additionally, the award would strengthen our partnerships with other organizations working towards sustainable development goals. These collaborations could lead to knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and joint initiatives to address plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices.

11. What are your future objectives regarding your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

We want to reduce pollution. Especially plastic waste pollution. To do this, we aim to disrupt the entire plastic packaging ecosystem industry. Wherever possible, to create eco-friendly alternatives that replace conventional ones. HyaPak will be the go-to brand for sustainable, affordable packaging.